Environmental engineers are involved in the identification and development of solutions to solve environmental complications to protect the environment and to amplify the standard of living for human beings. The main priority if an environmental engineer is to assist in the development of projects directed at controlling pollution or collaborate with organizations to recycle waste products.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must possess at least 50% aggregate from a recognized institution in 12^th, from any board PUC/CBSE/ICSE/ISC, etc. However, the cut-off margin varies with the selection process of different colleges.
• Should procure a valid score in entrance exams such as JEE-MAINS/CET/VITEEE/JEE-Advanced, etc. Different colleges offer their own entrance exams if you don’t have a satisfactory score in JEE or other competitive exams – colleges like NMIMS, Symbiosis International University, XUB, Andhra University, LPU, etc.
• One must earn a degree in B.Sc/B.Tech or a Diploma to become an Environmental Engineer. This is a basic qualification you must require to enroll in this line of work.
• An M.Tech in Environmental Engineering can also prove to be helpful while looking for a higher degree and better learning.

Tasks to perform

• Assessing the impact faced by the environment in development of projects in land, water, air, underwater, etc.
• Developing contingency plans and protocols to specific areas like radiation leaks, virus outbreaks, oil spills and other biohazard elements that pose problems.
• Providing assistance in issuing safety measures, maintenance runs, inspection protocols in convoluted environments.
• Informing employees or other associated parties about environmental hazards.
• Coordination or leading different protection programs in respect to the environment.

Knowledge required

• Innovation in Technology – Clear practical application of engineering and technology. Includes testing different theories, principles, methods, and using different equipments to create various types of devices.
• Mathematical Reasoning – A thorough grasp of mathematics which involves clear application of calculus, statistics, geometry, arithmetic, etc.
• Chemical Dexterity – Able to understand the chemical structure and composition of substances available in the environment. Includes the understanding of changes, interactions between different substances, methods of production and safe disposal of toxic substances.
• Biological Reasoning – Understanding the functioning and response in plants and animals in the environment through experimentation and reaction of cell bodies, tissues, membranes in respect to their environment.
• Public Safety Regulations – Concise and relevant information pertaining to taking safety measures, policies, precautions to elevate the welfare of the public.

Skills required

• Clarity of Speech – Ability to address important information with precision to individuals or a large group of people.
• Mathematical Prowess – Ability to use different aspects of mathematics to solve problems concerned with a specific problem.
• Grouping Flexibility – Ability to combine multiple key concepts or ideas to solve a new or complex problem.
• Problem Solving – Ability to recognize a problem or predict the event of one.
• Perceptual Strength – Ability to perceive multiple concepts with vast differences and close similarities among several and draw an understanding to use them in solving problems.

Job roles offered

Once you procure the required qualifications for becoming an Environmental Engineer, a myriad of options are open to you. There are multiple projects you can undertake throughout this line of work, and there are many other fields you can branch out to as well.

• Environmental Health and Safety Director: Environmental health and safety directors are involved in conducting inspections in various organizations and help control or completely remove health hazards in their line of work. Their main objective is the duty of looking after the welfare of employees, clients, and the environment they live in.
• Air Pollution Control Engineer: Air Pollution Control engineers work to provide pollution free air, especially in environments that are prone to lots of pollution. They often specialize in controlling pollution in different facilities, indoor or outdoor. They conduct maintenance checks on the air filters in different facilities, power plants, industries, textiles etc., to ensure the air that is emitted does not cross the limit of quality.
• Green Building Engineer: Green Building Engineers closely work on the design, repairs and construction of eco-friendly structures to provide a renewable source of energy limiting the levels of pollution. Building these structures require good cooperation between architects, engineers, clients and contractors to see the project through.
• Hazardous Substances Engineer: Hazardous Substances Engineer in every level have the responsibility to carry out or oversee the management of hazardous chemicals include, making laws and regulation while dealing with such substances, conducting maintenance checks, filing reports on problems that need to be addressed, verify measures taken to counter biohazards, etc.
• Environmental technicians: Environmental technicians usually work underneath the guidance of environmentalists. They actively evaluate and investigate the sources of pollution by conducting laboratory and field tests. Environmental technicians are often linked to environmental scientists and safeguard technicians

Career opportunities

Environmental Engineers can opt for various fields of work in the companies listed below:

• Coal India
• National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• AECOM Technology Corporation
• Bechtel
• Jacobs Engineering Group
• HDR
• CH2M
• Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
• Bajaj Space Pvt. Ltd

Colleges offering courses

• Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
• School of Engineering and Technology, BML Munjal University, Gurgaon
• Jagannath University, Jaipur
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
• College of Agricultural technology, Theni
• LD College of Engineering, Ahmedabad
• Saveetha School of Engineering, Thandalam
• United College of Engineering and Management, Allahabad